slattery



(No Model.)

J. J. SLATTERY. DISPLAY SUPPORT.

No. 600,599. Patented Mar.'15.1898.

/zi @threw l Nrrnn rnrns .IEREMIAH J. SLATTERY, OF TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CLARENCE L.`WELLS, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,599, dated March 15, 1898. Application led May 1,1895. Renewed June 26, 1397. Serial No. 642,530.. (No model.)

and it consists Iof the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several figures.

`Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevation of my improved clamp hung upon a supporting-rod in position to support a window-display. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same in engagement with and supporting aliat. Fig. 3 is a side View of a modification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap,ornamental, and effective clamp adapted to support various articles in a store-window display and adapted for various other purposes.

The device is preferably formed from a single piece of wire doubled together at its middle portion and having the doubled strands twisted together for a short distance to form the supporting-shank A. The strands diverge from the lower end of the twisted shank and are given one or more spiral turns, forming the spring-coils A A on opposite sides of and below the twisted shank. The end of each strand of wire is then closely wound into the form of a helical coil A2, the two coils thus formed lbeing parallel with each other and being yieldingly held in engagement with each other by the resilient force of the springcoils A', which connect the respective helical coils with the twisted shank.

The helical coils form clamping-jaws adapted to engage and yieldingly hold an object of moderate thickness inserted between them.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a hat-brim inserted between the jaws, whereby the hat is supported by the clamp.

- The upper end of the shank may be bent to form a hook B, adapted to engage a suitable support, as the rod C, which may be part of a window display-rack.

Vhen desired, the middle portion of the integral wire may be bent into the form of a loop or eye A3, adapted to receive a handle A4, of wood or other suitable material. After the handle is inserted in the loop the strands of the wire are twisted together to tightly secure the wire upon the handle. I/Vhen thus provided with a handle, the clamp may be forced to embrace the rod C itself and clamp thereon any thin pliable article, such as a handkerchief. Vhen the clamp is thus forced upon the rod, the latter occupies the space A5 between the helical clamping-coils and the spring-coils, the spring coils lying partly above and the helical coils partly below the rod. When so used, its operation is similar to that of a clamp for securing clothes upon a clothes-line, and `my improved clamp is well adapted for such purpose.

The extended engaging surfaces of the helical clamping-coils prevent injury to the clamped articles.

I am aware that clamps have been formed of wire with coiled jaws comprising two opposing single loops or turns of wire arranged edge to edge in the same plane and operated by spring-coils and I make no claim to such a construction.

In my improved clamp the jaws are each formed of a closely-wound helical coil, the individual loops, of which there are a plurality in each coil, lying closely side by side and forming together an approximately continuous cylindrical bearing-surface. Where a loop formed of a single wire engages with its edge any easily-indented article, like a hatbrim, the limited extent of bearing-surface permits a considerable penetration of the single wire, and where two such single wires are forced by springs against opposite sides of thearticle edge to edge the result is two deep creases or dents in the clamped surfaces, which would seriously disiigure the article. By the use of a plurality of loops in the coiled jaws the bearing-surfaces are so extended that if the clamping pressure exerted by the jaws is uniform throughout their length the clamped article cannot be injuredthereby.v

IOO

Each coiled jaw and its actuating-spring being integral, it is apparent that the force of the spring is applied directly to the first loop in the coil with which it is connected and with decreasing force to the successive loops.

Should the two loops in the respective jaws with which the spring-coils are directly connected lie opposite each other, they would in operation have to a considerable degree the same injurious effect found in clamps having jaws formed each of a single wire.

To uniformly distribute the spring clamping force throughout the length of the jaws, so that no single loop in one coil can coperate with any one loop in the other coil with such force as to project such loops in use upon soft material beyond the cylindrical surfaces of the jaws, I connect one of the spring-coils with one end of one coiled jaw and the other spring-coil with the diagonally opposite end of the other coiled jaw. By such aconstruction the loop of one coiled jaw having direct connection with its spring and hence acted upon with greatest force is located opposite and coperates with that loop in the other jaw most removed from the directly-connected loop of such other jaw. By such an arrangement the pressure exerted by any two coacting loops in the jaw-coils is approximately the same as that of any other coacting pair of loops, and it is impossible for any one loop or two coacting loops to penetrate the clamped material farther than the other loops in the jaws, thereby insuring uniformity of clamping pressure throughout the length of the jaws.

Where the j aw-coils are severally connected at only one end with the spring-coils, the unconnected ends are less able to overcome the resistance encountered in forcing the clamp upon an article of any considerable thickness, and, if left unsupported, the jaw-coils will thereby be forced upwardly at their weaker ends, distorting the coils and materially interfering with the clamping operation. By locating the spring-coils A A directly above the respective jaw coils intermediately of their ends and in close proximity thereto, as shown, the spring-coils serve to reinforce and support the jaw-coils by engagement therewith during the clamping operation.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A spring-wire clamp comprising a twistedwire shank, a pair of parallel helical clamping-coils each having a plurality of connected loops, the loops of each coil lying closely side by side and presenting an approximately continuous bearing-surface, and the loops of the respective coils arranged edge to edge, and a pair of spring-coils between the clampingcoils and shank, connected one to one end of one clamping-coil, and the other to the diagonally opposite end of the other clampingcoil, whereby the combined clamping force of each pair of coacting loops is the same as that of each other pair in the coiled jaws, substantially as described.

2. In a clamp, the combination with a wire shank and a pair of parallel helical clampingcoils each comprisinga plurality of connected wire loops lying side by side and presenting an approximately continuous cylindrical surface, the loops of the respective coils being arranged edge to edge, of a pair of springcoils connected each with one end of a clamping-coil, the spring-coils being located directly above and engageable with the respective clamping-coils intermediately of their ends, whereby the clamping-coils are reinforced by the spring-coilsin the clamping operation, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of April, 1895.

J EREMIAH J. SLATTERY.

Vitnesses:

FRANK C. CURTIS, OHAs. I-I. MoGUsKER. 

